BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!

Written by William Whitten, Esq.

This ancient warning came into prominence in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C. and ever since the phrase “beware the Ides of March”has been used to foretell an evil event.  Fortunately, in the Upper Valley, political assassinations are extraordinarily rare. However, there is an evil that lurks even in our safe haven of leaf season, huntin’ season, ski season and mud season. The evil are scams designed to separate you from your money and whatever else the scam artists can contrive.  No, I am not talking about tax filings due, although I am sure there are many who regard that day as an evil event.

Of course, all of like to think we are far too sophisticated and too smart to fall for any scam. Unfortunately, the scams often seem legitimate. For example, several years ago an elderly Vermont  woman, living on a small pension and social security, received a phone call from a “very nice and very polite young man.” He informed her that she had just won the Canadian Lottery and to collect her prize of several hundred thousand dollars all she had to do was send a certified check for $20,000.00, to cover taxes and handling. The lady went to her friendly local bank, took out a mortgage, which she could not afford, and got a certified bank check. The next day another very nice young man, showed up at her door, with a dozen roses, and assured her, that her “winnings” were on the way! It has been five years and the lady is still waiting for her “winnings.”  Sadly, she still believes she won the non-existent Canadian Lottery.

Another scam is the so-called “Nigerian letter.” In this one you receive an unsolicited letter, or more likely an email, saying “Dear Friend, or Dear Sir, untold riches await you.” Please help transfer $20 million dollars, or so, out of the country and into your account. A copy of one of these letters is attached. As ridiculous as it may sound, people have fallen for this ruse. One gentleman, after losing a lot of money, traveled to Nigeria to confront the perpetrator.   Unfortunately, he never returned.

The internet, that boon or mecca of information and instant worldwide communication, has led to many more scams. One  to be aware of is called “phishing.” In this scam you receive, what looks like an email from your bank, your PayPal account, or  credit card company and are asked to verify your private financial information, such as social security number, account number, date of birth, etc. It is extremely difficult to tell a legitimate email, from the “phish.” However, legitimate institutions will not ask for you to verify your information via email! If you do respond your account will be drained of cash very quickly.

Beware the scams that seek to separate you from your money. Keep in mind the words of the great showman, P.T. Barnum....”There is one born every minute”....don’t be that person.